But here at UNICEF USA, we remain steadfastly committed to UNICEF’s founding ideal: That the welfare of the world’s children rises above parties and politics. When Maurice Pate, UNICEF’s first Executive Director, took on the Herculean job of helping children in the aftermath of World War II, he insisted that UNICEF would work for all children, regardless of what side their parents had fought on. Today, putting children first — no matter who they are or where they live — has never been more important.

That’s why — at a moment when unprecedented threats confront the world’s children and we face dismaying uncertainty at home — I wanted to share some good news. Namely, we have taken an initial, but very significant step towards securing UNICEF’s annual funding as part of the federal government’s budget for Fiscal Year 2018, which will start in October.

UNICEF USA supporters meet with U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu (California; Democrat) during our Annual Hill Day on April 4, 2017.

On July 19, the House Appropriations Committee voted to approve a direct UNICEF appropriation of $132.5 million for FY 2018. That sum would maintain our funding at the same level as in the federal government’s current FY 2017 budget, despite substantial reductions in other categories of foreign aid.

The lion’s share of the credit for this interim, bipartisan victory belongs to our supporters. Their support and advocacy have made a difference. Their commitment to children has been heard.

More than 400 UNICEF advocates from across the nation participated in 176 meetings with U.S. Senators and Representatives during UNICEF USA’s Hill Day on April 4, 2017.

Other supporters who were not able to make our Hill Day participated in our call-to-action by emailing, calling, writing or tagging their federal legislators via social media and by activating their own social networks.

So, I offer a heartfelt “thank you” to all our supporters and friends for giving voice to the urgent needs of the world’s children.